Non-destructive ultrasonic velocimetry for central region velocity fields in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection of mercury

A non-destructive method of measuring flow field of opaque fluids is presented for turbulent convection of liquid metal mercury. Two important properties of the turbulent state, namely 2D velocity profiles and energy spectrum, are successfully measured for Rayleigh–Bénard convection of mercury by using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry. A few key techniques for the method are also explained.

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► Rayleigh–Bénard turbulence in mercury.
► 2D imaging of the flow of mercury by moving transducer and USV profiles.
► Power law exponent for energy spectrum for transverse velocity.